“For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” — Matthew 17:20
This is one of the most famous sayings of Jesus, and for many years it has been one of my favourite go tos’.
When I first heard these words, I focused on the size of the mustard seed. Since the mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds in the garden, I understood Jesus to be saying that even a tiny amount of faith could accomplish great things.
As a young man, I often thought this meant having faith in myself. Later, as my understanding grew, I realised that true faith is not faith in ourselves, but faith in God through Jesus Christ, for whom all things are possible.
Yet the more I returned to this passage, the more I began to see that there was something even deeper here.
The Mustard Seed
Jesus often used familiar images from everyday life to reveal spiritual truths.
The mustard seed is incredibly small. It can easily be overlooked or dismissed. Yet when planted, it grows into a large tree, spreading its branches widely and providing shelter for birds and other creatures. It produces fruit, flowers, medicine, spice, oil, wood, dye, etc…
The lesson is striking.
God does not require great beginnings.
He does not ask us to start with perfect faith, complete understanding, or extraordinary strength.
He simply asks us to trust Him and allow that faith to be planted.
What appears small and insignificant today can become something far greater than we ever imagined.
Rooted in the Right Source
As I reflected on this passage, another thought came to mind.
Before any tree can grow upward, it must first grow downward.
Long before branches spread into the sky, roots are pushing deeper into the earth.
The strength of the tree is determined by what cannot be seen.
The same is true in our spiritual lives.
When our faith is rooted in God, our roots begin to grow deeper:
- deeper trust
- deeper dependence
- deeper humility
- deeper relationship with Christ
- success
- achievement
- recognition
- outward appearance
God begins His work in the hidden places.
He works in the roots.
Standing Through the Storm
A tree with shallow roots may appear healthy for a season, but when strong winds arrive, it cannot stand.
A tree with deep roots can withstand:
- storms
- drought
- heat
- strong winds
Its strength comes from where it is rooted.
Likewise, a life rooted in Christ can endure difficulties that would otherwise overwhelm us.
Not because we are strong in ourselves, but because our source is strong.
Faith That Blesses Others
The mature mustard plant does not exist for itself alone.
Its branches provide shelter and refuge.
In the same way, a life rooted in God begins to bless others.
Our words bring encouragement.
Our actions bring hope.
Our lives become a place of refuge for those who are struggling.
The fruit is no longer merely for ourselves.
It becomes a blessing to others.
The Question of the Root
Perhaps the deeper question is not:
“How much faith do I have?”
But rather:
“What is my faith rooted in?”
Because if our roots are not grounded in God, the fruit we produce will eventually reveal it.
Jesus was never impressed merely by outward appearance.
He constantly looked beneath the surface and examined the heart.
A tree is known by its fruit.
And fruit is determined by the root.
May our faith, however small it begins, be planted firmly in Christ, grow deep roots in Him, and produce fruit that brings glory to God.
Reflection for Today
A mustard seed begins small, hidden beneath the ground where no one notices it.
Yet before it grows upward, it grows downward.
As I reflect on my own life, I ask:
Am I spending more time growing my branches for others to see, or growing my roots deeper into God?
For when the storms come—and they always do—it is not the size of the branches that determines whether a tree stands, but the depth of its roots.
What are my roots growing into today?